Pressure-boosting fire hydrant



May 15, 1928,

T. MARSHALL PRESSURE BOOSTING FIRE HYDRANT Filed Oct. 19 1927 Iqvcnl'or.

Wi Mdrfdl/ Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES P THOMAS MARSHALL, 'orcnrcaeo, ILLINOIS.

PRESSUBE-BOOSTING FIB/E HYIDBANT. I

Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,140.

My invention relates to fire hydrants and in some of its general objects aims to provide ahydrant equipped with a powendriven pump for boosting the pressure of the water emitted from the hydrant, and also providedwithsimple means whereby the hydrant can readily be used either for furnishing water at the presure at which this is supplied to the hydrant by the water mains, or at the pump-boosted higher pressure. Furthermore, my invention aims to provide a fire hydrant in which the initial opening of the valve will cause the emission of water at the pressure in the supply main, and in which a further movement of the valve-controlling plug will start the pressure-boost- 111g pump.

i More particularly, myin'vention provides a fire hydrant of this general type in which a valve-controlling stem serves also as a shaft for the impeller of the pump, and in which the means which impart vertical movement to this valve stem also operate a switch for controlling an electric motor connected to this stem. v

In small cities and villages, and also in the outlying districts of larger cities, the pressure in the usual water supply mainsisinadequate forthe speedy quenching of fire, and particularly so with fires in buildings more than a few stories high. Consequently,.even small municipalities commonly provide large sized water-supply tanks disposed at considerable heights, and alsoprovide fire engines employing high pressure pumps actuated either by steam from a boiler or by gasoline engines. and the fire engines used for this purpose involve a heavy expense and the tanks usually are unsightly; while any prolonged operationaof the fire engines is contingent on the replenishing of the tuel supply, which is not always prompt. Moreover, fire engines require skilled operators which are not always available on short notice in small communities.

My invention aims'to overcome all of these objections by equipping each hydrant with a potential fire engine and one which can readily be 'opeated by any amateur. I

Fig. 1 is a central and vertical section through a'fire hydrant embodying my invention. c

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, looking upward from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1f.

Fig. 3 is enlarged perspective view of Both the elevated tanks the upper end portion of the valve stem, in-

cluding the bearing flange on this stem.

In the illustrated embodiment of my inveni'ion,

be connected tothe water mains in any usual manner, a tubular riser or pumping section 2 which is secured to the top of the inlet section and which is provided with an outlet 3 controlled by an outlet cap 4, and a cap section 11 secured to the top of the riser section. These superposed sections are tightly jointed to each other, and a centrally perforated horizontal partition 5 is provided at the juncture of the riser section with a cap, while an annular valve seat 6'is secured to the lower end of the riser section as an effective partition between this riser section and thebottom inlet section.

The partition 5 is provided at its center with a tubular stufling box 46 through which a vertical valve stem 7 extends, and this stuffing box 46 is packed with a packing 8 compressed between a nipple 9 threaded into the bore of the stuffing box at its upper end and a cap 10 threaded on the lower end of the stuffing box. Both the nipple and the cap 10" desirably have bores only slightly larger than the outside diameter of thestem 7, so

that the suitably compressed packingeftectivcly prevents the passage of water from the bore of the riser or pumping section 2 to the interior of the cap section 11 which forms the power section or motor sectionof the casing:

Thestem 7 extends downwardly into the 'inlet section 1 and carries avalve closure member 12 which is formed for tightly fitting the bore of the valve seat 6', for which purpose I am showing both this seat bore and the periphery of the valve member as of a similar and upwardly tapering conical form. Extending upwardly from the bottom of thoinlet section 1 in axial alineinent with the stem 7 is a tubular bearing 13 in which the lower end of this stem is journaled and is also free to move vertically. Mounted within the cap section 11 is a stationary electric motor 14, which is here the casing of, my fire hydrant in- 6 'cludes a bottom inlet section 1 adapted to shown as supported by legs 15 secured to the partition 5 and which has its vertical shaft 17 in axial alinement with the stem 7, this shaft being operatively splin ed to the stem so' that rotation ofthe motor shaft will also rotate the valve stem 7 while the splined connection will permit vertical of the hydrant casing bymeans which will movement of the stem with respect to the motor and the hydrant caslng. For this spline connection purpose I am showing the upper end of the stem 7 as bored out so that the lower endof the motor shaft 17 is ]ournaled in it, and as having a diametric slot 18 entered by a pin'19 which extends through the said shaft. F astened to the stem 7 within the riser or pumping section 2 of the hydrant casing is a pumping member, such as an impeller 20 which extends radially close 22 andthe flange21. Then I support this:

bearing bar from the top of the cap section readily permit a raising or lowering of this bar,-and hence of the valve closure member 12. For this purpose, I am here showlng the bearing bar. 22 as rigidly connected by shouldered bolts 28 to a supporting bar 24 which has a central boss. 25 threaded upon a bushing 26 pinned to the vertical shank of a control plug 27. This plug has its head supported by the top 11 of the cap section, the head being preferably of the pentagonal shape fitting the handles commonly used for controlling the supply of water 1 through fire hydrants. Thus arranged, the

supporting bar 24, the two bolts 28 and the bearing bar 22 form a rigid frame which can be raised and lowered by rotating the plug 27, provided that this frame is kept from rotating about the axis of theplug, for which latter purpose I am showing ;a pin 29 projecting radially from the boss 25 into a vertical slot 30 milled into the cap 11 Then I provide means for controllingthe actuation of the impeller, desirably in the I form of a switch, and I preferably arrange switch base member this switch so that it will close the circuit after the said frame (together with the stem 7 and the valve closure member 12) have been lowered for a considerable extent, and so that the switch will open the circuit before thesaid frame has been .raised sufficiently to close the valve. For this purpose, I am illustrating a switching member 31 fastened to one of the rods 28 through an insulator 32 by a clamp 33, and a including an insulating base 34 fastened to the casing cap 11 and carrying two vertically s aced contact members 35 and 36. One 0 these con- .can be detached,

'tact members is connected by a wire 37 to one side of the circuit, while theo ther is connected by awire38 to one termlnal of the motor, and the switching member 31 is so formed that it will engage both contact members only after the frame which supportsthe valve closure member has been lowered beyond the extent required for the full opening of the valve in proportion to the size of the outlet 3.

\Vith the hydrant thus arranged, the plug 27 (which has its head accessible from the exterior of the casing) normally holds the valve closed and holds the .motor-controlling'switch open, asshown in Fig. 1. WVhen the'plug isrotated to lower the valve stem and the switching member, the valve opens first, and: by suitably proportioningthe parts V I can permit the valve to be opened .fully before the switch closes the circuit to the motor. Consequently,- the user can readily secure a supply, of water atthe. regular affords the ordinary low-pressure water supwater main-pressure by merely rotating the plug tothis extent, sothat the hydrant then ply for flushing "the street,- filling sprinklerwagon tanks, and the like. In case 'offa fire, theplug is rotated further in the same direction, thereby closing the switch and causing the motor, to rotate the impeller, so that the latter boosts the pressure of the water-,thereby making my hydrant equally well adapted for supplying'water ateither low or high pressure. To preventthe plug 26 from being screwed entirely'out of the boss125 on the supportingbar, I provide means for limiting the lowering movement of the said frame, this being here shown as an anti-friction ball 40 .in the bottom ofthe tubular boss 13 which forms a'bearing, for the lower end of thestem 7. I e i In the illustrated constructiomfthe cap section 11 hasa lateral opening 48 normally closed by a cover 49. By reaching through this opening, the lower nuts on the bolts 28 thereby, permitting the bearing bar (together with the stem and the parts mountedon the latter)*to: drop until the lower end of the stem strikes the ball 40. By then detaching thebolts 41 which fasten the top section 11 ofthe casing to the riser portion'2, the top'section can readily be lifted off, so as ,toafford access tothe motor for inspection and lubrication. Thus arranged, the interior of the top section affords a motor chamber'which is effectively sealed from the riser section 2,

while the riser section forms :a pumping chamber through which the water passes either at the water main pressure or at a boosted pressure. j r

Since a continuous supply'of current can readily be secured from the electric light plant .in almostev'ery community, my inventlon provides ready means for supplying water at high pressure Whenever so needed. Moreover, supplies of hose and hydrant-operating handles at scattered points, a community can readily insure the speedy availability of high pressure water for fire-fighting instead of having this'aw'ait the summoning of local firemen and the coming of the fire engine from adistant point while the fireis gaining headway. 1

However, while I have illustrated and de scribed my invention. in anembodiment in which the riser section of the casing also forms the housing for the impeller of the pressure boosting pump, in which the stem of the valve is supported by a frame passing around the motor, and in which one part of the motor-controlling switch is carried by this frame, I do not wish to be limited to these or other details of the construction and arrangement thus disclosed. Obviously, many changes might be made without departing either from the spirit of my invention or from the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: a

1. In a fire hydrant, a hydrant casing hav ing an outlet and an inlet, a valve member controlling the inlet and including a ver tical valve stem within the casing, an impeller on the valve stem, an electric-motor operatively connected to the said stem, means operable from the exterior of the easing for lowering and raising the valve stem so as respectively to open and close the valve, and a switch in circuit with the motor and controlled byvertical movements of the stem.

2. A fire hydrant as per claim 1, in which the switch is disposed for closing the motor circuit only after the valve has been opened to a predetermined extent.

3. A fire hydrant as per claim 1, in which the motor is stationary and includes an armature shaft splined to the stem to permit vertical movements of the stem without disturbing the operative connection of the armature shaft to the stem.

4. In afire hydrant, a casing, a valve for controlling the flow of water through the casing, a power-actuated means within the casing for increasing the pressure of water flowing through the casing, control means governing the power-actuated means, a single actuating member, and means connecting the actuating member with both the valveand the said control means for first opening the valve and thereafter starting the operation of the power actuated means.

5. In a fire hydrant, a'casing, a valve controlling the flow of water through-the casing, an electric motor-driven pump arranged for increasing the pressure of water flowing through the casing, a switch controlling the electric motor, a single actuating member, and means connecting the actuatby merely providing ing member with the valve and the switch, the said connecting means being arranged so as to open the valve first and thereafter to close the switch.

6. In a fire hydrant, a hydrant casing having an inlet at its lower end and an elevated outlet, a water supply pipe leading to the said-inlet, a valve-in the lower portion of the casing for controlling the flow of water through the inlet; a motor-driven pumping member within the casing above the inlet, a valve-controlling means including an upright and vertically JIIOViiblG stem; a I

motor withinthe casing above the'outlet for inlet and having a rotatable stem, an imeller mounted on the said stem for boostmg the pressure of water passing from the the inlet to the outlet, a motor within the casing and connected to the said stem for ro-' tating the latter, a partition between the motor and outlet, and a stufiing box carried by the partition and through which thestem extends.

9. In a fire hydrant, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling the inlet and having a rotatable and vertically movable stem, an impeller mounted on the said stem portion for boosting the pressure of water passing from the inlet and the outlet, a motor tively connected to the said stem for rotating within the casing and operathe latter, and means actuable from the eX- terior of the casing for successively opening the valve and starting the motor.

10. In a fire hydrant, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling the inlet and having a rotatable stem and verti cally movable. an impeller mounted on the said stem for boosting the pressure of water passing from the inlet and the outlet, a motor within the casing and operatively connected to the said stem for rotating the latter. and means actuable from the exterior of the casing for first moving the said stem to open the valve and thereafter starting the motor.

11. In afire hydrant, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling the inlet and having a rotatable stem and vertically movable, an impeller mounted on the said stem portion for boosting the pressure lot Water passing "from :the 'inlet and :theou'tilet, :a- :motor within the casing and :opera- 'tiveliyeonnecte'd-to the "said-stem forirotating the latter, -and:controller by vertical movements of the stem, and means ucuablefrom the exterior ofithe casing :i'or 'r-e .tical'ly moving thestem, the valve and-switch being relatively so disposed that downward:movcmcnt-ofthri stem first top-ens 'I-hc waive and th ere'zrft-er closes lLl18-iS'W=1=-'C-h.' c- I .12..A fire hy lrant comprising a casing :having an inlet and an outlet, imcans including a vertically zmovable zvalve closure mem her for (ifillt'lOlll llg the passage of Water from :the iinlet-ito the outlet, a vertically and rotationally .inovable stem supporting the valve closure member, a control plug journaled' in nth-e ltOp ;'of the hydrant casing; a supporting member threadedly connected to tthe *plugen'd supporting the stem, the stem heing rotatable wlithirespect to the supporting :niember, nne'ans preventing rotation of :the supporting member with respect to the casing a. water impeller carried by the stem, and power means for -rotating the impeller. '13. In a firmhydrant, acasing comprising bottomiinlet. section, a sriser sectionimo untred on thebottom inlet sectionand having a lateral-outlet,iand a cap section :surmounting ..;the riser :section'; a partition between the wiser sseotion and the ,cap ;-section-; a valve \closure memberdisposed to seat on the said 'valve a valve ;stem carrying the said closure :member 1311C] extending upwardly tlirough the partition; .a pumping member a switch in circuit with :the motorv disposed riwithinlthe :riser and connected to ithe:stem so aslto be actuated by rotationof ithe-stem.;:a;power means disposed w-ithinthe -cap: section and connected to the stem to rowtatingkithe latter; (control means wvithin the.-

inountecl' on the 1 cap section; and connections lietueenthe actuating member, rthe lcontrol means and the stem, whereby movementofthe actuating member; in -.one .-direc-tion first iinovesithestoxn to open the-valve audit-here mi fterioperates thecon'trol means to start-tthe rotation t ;the stem by the pumping mem- :14. .111 :a hydrant, pump chamber, Ino- =-tor ca, su-rmo-unting the pump chamber,a

uneans within the motor ;casing tort-control- :li-ng the ,switeh a pumping member Within the pump chamber, means operatively connccting :t-he pumping member to the motor, a valvegcontrolling the passage of Water through the pump chamber; uneans for-coi1 trolling the valveincludinga fr-ameeXtend-i J .rHoM sMARsiiALn motor moun'ted inside the motor casing, Y 

